Samsung Chromebook 3 Review: Is It Still Worth Buying?

The Samsung Chromebook 3 is a tiny laptop with a very big question mark over it. It was cheap. It was simple. It was popular with students, parents, and anyone who just wanted a no-drama computer. But time has passed. A lot of time. So, is the Samsung Chromebook 3 still worth buying today? Let’s find out.

TLDR: The Samsung Chromebook 3 is still fine for very basic tasks, like writing, web browsing, and watching videos. But it is old, slow by modern standards, and many models no longer get ChromeOS updates. If you find one for a very low price, it can work as a backup laptop. For most people, a newer Chromebook is the smarter buy.

Meet the Samsung Chromebook 3

The Samsung Chromebook 3 is an 11.6-inch laptop. It runs ChromeOS. That means it is built around the Chrome browser, Google apps, and cloud storage.

It is not trying to be a fancy gaming machine. It is not trying to edit 4K videos. It is not trying to replace a MacBook Pro. It is more like a digital notebook with a keyboard.

And that was the point.

When it launched, the Samsung Chromebook 3 was a budget hero. It was light. It was tough enough for school bags. It was easy to use. It also had good battery life. For many people, that was all they needed.

Today, it feels like an old bicycle in a garage. It may still roll. But you should check the tires first.

Design: Plain, Simple, and Practical

The design is not exciting. There are no thin bezels. There is no shiny metal body. There is no “wow” moment when you open the lid.

But that is okay.

The Samsung Chromebook 3 has a basic plastic body. It feels light in the hand. It is easy to carry. It weighs around 2.5 pounds, so it will not make your backpack feel like a bag of bricks.

The black finish looks simple and clean. It does not scream for attention. It just sits there and does its job.

The build quality is better than you might expect for an old budget laptop. The hinge feels decent. The keyboard deck has some flex, but not too much. It feels made for classrooms, kitchen tables, and couch browsing.

Best part? It is small enough to use almost anywhere.

Worst part? It looks old because it is old.

Display: Fine, But Not Fancy

The Samsung Chromebook 3 has an 11.6-inch display. The resolution is usually 1366 x 768. That is basic HD.

Is it sharp? Not really.

Is it bright? Not very.

Is it good enough for Google Docs, email, and YouTube? Yes.

The screen is one of the weakest parts of this Chromebook. Colors look a bit dull. Viewing angles are not great. If you tilt the screen too much, things can look washed out.

But remember the price. This was never a luxury screen. It was made to be cheap and useful.

If you mostly type documents or read websites, the display is okay. If you watch a lot of movies, edit photos, or care about rich color, you will want something better.

Keyboard and Trackpad: Better Than Expected

The keyboard is one of the nicer surprises.

The keys are not amazing, but they are comfortable. They have enough travel. They feel light and clicky. For school work, emails, and simple writing, the keyboard does the job well.

You can type a full essay on it. You may not enjoy it as much as a premium laptop. But you will not hate it either.

The trackpad is also decent. It is not huge. It is not glass. But it tracks well enough. Taps and clicks work fine. Two-finger scrolling works as expected.

This is important because a bad keyboard can ruin a cheap laptop. Thankfully, the Samsung Chromebook 3 avoids that trap.

Performance: Slow and Steady, Mostly Slow

Now we get to the big issue.

The Samsung Chromebook 3 usually comes with an Intel Celeron processor. Many models use the Celeron N3060. It may have 2GB or 4GB of RAM. Storage is usually 16GB or 32GB eMMC.

Those numbers were modest years ago. Today, they are very modest.

For simple tasks, it can still work. You can open Google Docs. You can check Gmail. You can browse simple websites. You can watch videos. You can join a basic video call, though it may struggle.

But do not push it too hard.

Open too many tabs, and it slows down. Load heavy websites, and it sighs. Try multitasking with video, music, chat, and documents, and it may feel tired.

Think of it like a tiny scooter. Great for a short trip. Bad for a highway race.

Good for:

• Writing in Google Docs
• Checking email
• Basic web browsing
• Watching YouTube at moderate quality
• Simple school work

Not good for:

• Heavy multitasking
• Gaming beyond simple web games
• Video editing
• Large spreadsheets
• Demanding Android apps

ChromeOS: Easy, But There Is a Catch

ChromeOS is one of the main reasons people like Chromebooks. It is simple. It boots fast. It updates in the background. It is harder to mess up than Windows.

But here is the catch.

Many Samsung Chromebook 3 models have reached their Auto Update Expiration date. That means they may no longer receive official ChromeOS updates from Google.

This matters a lot.

Without updates, you may miss security patches. Some websites may stop working correctly over time. New app features may not arrive. The laptop can still turn on and function, but it is not as safe or fresh as a supported Chromebook.

This is the biggest reason to be careful before buying one.

If you already own a Samsung Chromebook 3, you can still use it for light tasks. But avoid doing sensitive work on it if it no longer receives updates. That means banking, private documents, or anything very personal should be handled on a supported device.

Battery Life: Still a Strong Point

The Samsung Chromebook 3 was known for good battery life. It could often last through a school day when new.

Today, battery life depends on the unit you buy. Since these laptops are old, the battery may be worn out. Some may still last several hours. Others may need a charger after a short session.

If buying used, ask about battery health. Ask how long it lasts from a full charge. If the seller says “I don’t know,” assume the battery may be weak.

With a healthy battery, it can still be a handy couch laptop. With a bad battery, it becomes a tiny desktop with a very short leash.

Ports: Surprisingly Useful

The port selection is simple but useful.

Depending on the model, you may get:

• USB-A ports
• HDMI
• MicroSD card slot
• Headphone jack
• Power port

This is a nice bonus. Newer thin laptops sometimes remove ports. The Chromebook 3 keeps the basics.

You can plug in a mouse. You can connect to a monitor or TV with HDMI. You can add storage with a microSD card. That is helpful because internal storage is small.

Storage: Small, But Cloud-Friendly

Do not expect much built-in storage. Many units come with 16GB. Some have 32GB.

That sounds tiny because it is tiny.

But ChromeOS was designed for the cloud. Google Drive is your friend here. Docs, Sheets, Slides, and photos can live online. You can also use a microSD card for extra space.

Still, if you like downloading lots of files, videos, or apps, this machine will feel cramped fast.

It is best used as an online machine. Keep it light. Keep it clean. Do not treat it like a storage box.

Webcam and Speakers: Just Okay

The webcam is basic. It works for simple video calls. It will not make you look like a movie star. It may make you look like you are calling from 2016. Because, well, you kind of are.

The speakers are also basic. They are fine for short videos and online classes. They are not great for music. They lack bass. They can sound thin.

Use headphones if you care about sound. Your ears will thank you.

Who Should Still Buy It?

The Samsung Chromebook 3 can make sense for a few people.

• Someone who needs a very cheap spare laptop.
• A child who only needs basic web access.
• A writer who wants a distraction-light typing machine.
• A tinkerer who enjoys old hardware.
• Someone who does not need current ChromeOS updates for sensitive tasks.

But price is everything. If it costs too much, walk away.

A used Samsung Chromebook 3 only makes sense if it is very cheap. Think “less than the cost of a nice dinner” cheap. If the price gets close to a newer used Chromebook, buy the newer one.

Who Should Avoid It?

Most people should be careful.

You should avoid the Samsung Chromebook 3 if you need speed. Avoid it if you need security updates. Avoid it if you use lots of tabs. Avoid it if you want a bright screen. Avoid it if you plan to keep it for several more years.

Students may also want to avoid it if their school requires updated ChromeOS. Some school tools may not work well on outdated devices.

Remote workers should also look elsewhere. A slow, unsupported laptop is not ideal for daily work.

What Should You Buy Instead?

If your budget allows, look for a newer Chromebook. Even a low-cost modern model will feel much faster and safer.

Look for these features:

• At least 4GB of RAM, though 8GB is better
• At least 64GB of storage
• A current ChromeOS update policy
• USB-C charging
• A brighter 1080p screen if possible

Brands like Lenovo, Acer, Asus, HP, and Samsung all make newer Chromebooks. You do not need to spend a fortune. Even budget models have improved a lot.

A newer Chromebook will boot fast, browse better, and receive updates for years. That peace of mind is worth paying a little more.

Final Verdict: Is It Still Worth Buying?

The Samsung Chromebook 3 is a charming little machine. It is simple. It is light. It has a usable keyboard. It can still handle basic tasks if you keep your expectations low.

But it is also old. Very old in laptop years. The performance is limited. The screen is basic. The storage is tiny. Most importantly, many units no longer get ChromeOS updates.

So, is it still worth buying?

Yes, but only in a very specific case. Buy it only if it is extremely cheap and you only need it for simple, low-risk tasks. It can be a backup laptop, a kid’s writing machine, or a couch browser.

No, for most regular buyers. If you need a dependable daily laptop, get a newer Chromebook. You will get better speed, better security, and a longer life.

The Samsung Chromebook 3 is not useless. It is just past its prime. Like an old lunchbox, it may still carry the basics. But don’t expect it to keep your soup hot forever.